SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2327

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Silver, H. Sommers, Schoon, Holland, McLean, Fuhrman and Smith; by request of Legislative Budget Committee)

Changing provisions relating to sunset review of programs and agencies.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

When a state agency or program is scheduled for termination under the provisions of the Washington Sunset Act, the following process takes place:

      oThe Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) conducts a program and fiscal review of the agency or program and submits a report of its findings to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) no later than June 30 of the year prior to the scheduled termination date.

      oOFM may conduct its own review and return its findings to the LBC by September 30 of the same year.  LBC then prepares a final report.

      oThe appropriate standing committees of the Legislature hold public hearings on the recommendations of the LBC and OFM and then determine whether the agency or program should be terminated, continued, or modified.

In addition to conducting sunset reviews, the Legislative Budget Committee is also responsible for a number of other analyses, evaluations, and studies, many mandated by law.  In the next four years, the LBC will be required to complete 23 sunset reviews and nine additional program evaluations or reports, not including a major study of the Family Independence Program.

SUMMARY:

The following state agencies or programs scheduled for termination between 1991 and 1994 under the Washington Sunset Act are removed from the schedule of agencies under sunset.  Several termination dates are postponed by one year.

      oNursing Home Advisory Council

New termination: June 30, 1992

      oEmergency Medical Services Committee

New termination:  June 30, 1992

      oRegulation of Acupuncture Practice

New termination:  June 30, 1992

      oParimutuel Wagering on Horse Races at Satellite Facilities

New termination:  June 30, 1992

      oBusiness Assistance Center

New termination: June 30, 1993

      oEconomic Development Board

Retain termination of June 30, 1993

      oRegulation of Counselors, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, and Marriage and Family Counselors

New termination:  June 30, 1994

      oRegulation of Naturopaths

New termination: June 30, 1994

      oMigratory Waterfowl Art Committee

Retain termination of June 30, 1994

      oExamining Board of Psychology

New termination: June 30, 1995

      oWashington Council for Child Abuse and Neglect

Retain termination of June 30, 1994

      oExport Trading Companies

Retain termination of June 30, 1994

The following agencies or programs are removed from the schedule of agencies under sunset and their termination dates are repealed:

      oPublic Works Board

      oCareer Executive Program

      oPublic Disclosure Commission

      oSmall Business Improvement Council

      oWashington Sunrise Act

      oWashington Ambassador Program

Statutory requirements for the LBC to conduct the following studies or analyses are repealed:

      oState Employee Incentive Programs (a cost- benefit analysis due December 1, 1990)

      oPhysical Therapists (an evaluation of a program of direct access in certain circumstances due January 1, 1991)

The termination dates and required LBC studies of the following are removed:

      oRegulation of Motor Vehicle Warranties ("Lemon Law")

      oWashington State Lottery

A technical change is made to place provisions setting a 1998 termination date for the School Directors' Association in the section of the code containing the Sunset Act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The only change in the striking amendment is to clarify that the program of direct access to physical therapists expires June 30, 1991 unless reenacted.

Senate Committee - Testified: Rebecca Sisler, Department of Personnel (pro); Gail Toraason McGafick, WA State Physical Therapists Association (pro); Len Eddinger, WA State Medical Association (pro)